Tattoo Care
Here, you can find all the information about what to do Before, During and After your tattoo.
If you have any questions, you can send me an email: hemeratattoo@gmail.com
BEFORE
24h to 48h
No Alcohol
At least 24 hours prior to our appointment, ideally 48. Alcohol thins your blood, which compromises my visibility and your skin's ability to retain ink.
Moisturize your skin
If your skin is overly dry in the area we'll be tattooing, start moisturizing at least 48h prior to your tattoo appointment.
A gentle exfoliation also does wonders to get rid of dead skin cells so I can apply your new tattoo on fresh new skin!
Hydrate
Water will not only make your skin ideal for me to work on, it will also help tremendously with your healing process. Drink lots of water before, during and after your tattoo.
Sleep!
I know you're excited but, as much as possible, try to have a good night's sleep and come well rested. Your nervous system will be calmer and your pain tolerance will be higher.
DURING
The morning of, and
Eat!
Have a good, full meal before you come. This is very important and will help your body sustain the stress you will put it under during the day.
Bring food.
Especially for a full day session, bring yourself something to eat. A sandwich or home cooked meal halfway through a big tattoo makes a huge difference. I have a microwave if it needs warming up. Also bring some candy or sweet, healthy snacks. This helps your energy level and raises your pain threshold.
Breathe
A calm mind and deep breaths are your best allies during a tattoo.
Wear appropriate and comfortable clothing
Bring or wear clothing that easily allows me to work on the area we're tattooing. Make sure it's comfortable, especially for longer sessions, and make sure you feel comfortable wearing it. Bonus points if it's black, I won't be too worried about staining it with ink!
No numbing cream.
This is also very important. It changes the texture of your skin and makes it harder for ink to penetrate, which can damage your skin and negatively affect healing. I'll use a numbing agent during the tattoo if needed.
Go easy on the coffee.
One or two cups is fine, half a dozen is not ideal. You want to be able to relax during the appointment, not be wired and jittery.
Vitamin C and zinc.
These boost your immune system and help your body heal. I personally supplement with both a few days before and after a long session. Please read labels and follow recommendations for quantities and contraindications.
Allow yourself to zone out
Although I love to chat and get to know the person on my chair, there might be moments where I need to focus deeply on your piece to get the best result. Consider bringing headphones to listen to music, watch a movie, or catch up on your favorite series. This helps to power through the discomfort and the boredom of sitting still for hours.
AFTER
What to do
Keep the second skin bandage on for up to 5 days.
The longer the better. Your tattoo is protected and starting its healing process without you having to worry about infection. How neat is that.
No heavy sweating.
Sports and anything similar are off the table while your tattoo is wrapped. A small compromise for a beautiful healing.
Remove the bandage in or before your shower.
When you are ready to remove your second skin, gently lift a corner and pull away from your tattoo to stretch the bandage off, which will gently unstick it. It sticks quite well, so take your time. If you tend to feel sensitive during things like this, sit down for the process.
Clean well.
Use unscented soap and pat dry with a clean towel.
Moisturize as needed.
Use an unscented, non greasy moisturizer. Nothing with fast healing ingredients, nothing thick. Ideally choose something with a pump so you're not dipping your fingers into the cream. I personally use Aveeno or Avene Cicalfate. Twice a day is usually plenty, don't overdo it. If your tattoo feels dry, overly itchy, or the skin feels tight when you move, moisturize. Otherwise, leave it alone. Over moisturizing will slow the healing process.
While it's healing
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Wear loose, breathable clothing over the area.
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Expect some itchiness. As it heals, your tattoo will get itchy. That's normal. Don't scratch it or pick at the scabs. A bit of moisturizer, or a few gentle slaps, usually calms the itch.
FOR THE NEXT 2 to 3 WEEKS
No direct sunlight (or tanning beds) and no bathing (including but not limited to: baths, spas, pools, saunas, lakes, rivers, oceans, ponds, puddles...). UV rays will break away your fresh ink resulting in premature fading and any type of submerging is a high risk of infection.
Sunscreen is now your best friend.
Once your tattoo is healed, applying sunscreen whenever you're outside will greatly improve the quality and longevity of your tattoo/your investment.
If you notice anything abnormal
(Excessive redness, excessive swelling, excessive and prolonged warmth, yellowish oozing or crusting, a rash)
Contact me immediately by email at hemeratattoo@gmail.com or by DM on Instagram. Start your message with URGENT.
If anything feels off during healing, reach out to me directly.
I'd rather answer a quick question than have you worry.
hemeratattoo@gmail.com
Printable PDFs
Getting Ready
Download and print this PDF to make sure you are well prepared for your appointment! It also includes a checklist of items to bring with you during the appointment!